By the Book

By the Book

Heather Emberley, RWTA

Teachers + books = a winning combination. We read them, we write them, we share them. Books of all genres have played a central role in the careers of teachers and continue to do so for three retired teachers in particular.

Gerrie Prymak is a retired teacher who reads to children. As a primary teacher in the core area she saw many children who did not have access to books at home. For the past decade Gerrie has used her skills in retirement to volunteer on behalf of Stay and Play Resource Centre. She is a driving force behind Little Stars Playhouse for children 0 - 5 years of age which will open in 2018. Along with Karyn Davis, Gerrie is bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to children in the Point Douglas area.

Pat Herman is a retired teacher and school counsellor who volunteers her time with the Children’s’ Hospital Book Market.

Every week Pat sorts and prices books that are donated to raise funds for medical research and equipment at Children’s Hospital, Winnipeg. Former students and colleagues love to visit with Pat at the sales held three times yearly at St. Vital Mall. Be sure to see her there September 28 - 30.

Oriole A. Vane Veldhuis is a retired teacher who has written, For Elise: Unveiling the Forgotten Woman on the Criddle Homestead.

It is always wonderful to see Oriole at RWTA's luncheons. It was even more wonderful for me to see Oriole at the Whistler, BC, Writers' Festival, where her book was nominated for best book in the non-fiction category.

These three retired teachers are anything but "retired." Not only will their legacies be the education of the thousands of children they taught, their lessons by example of giving and life-long sharing of books ensures their place in history and in our hearts. ¡

Pat Herman

Gerrie Prymack, Little Stars PlayHouse and Karyn Davis, The Dollywood Foundation RWTA member, Oriole Veldhuis and her book, For Elise

A Pioneer Permit Teacher ... (continued from page 28)

Following the example set by Peter, two of his daughters, Anna and Dora Maendel, were awarded Bachelor of Education Degrees from the University of Manitoba in 1985. During the decades of 1994-2004, nearly a hundred other Manitoba Hutterites have gone on to obtain Bachelor of Education Degrees from Brandon University. In 2013, the first group of four Hutterite women graduated from Brandon University as Registered Nurses: three of Peter’s granddaughters and one great niece. Peter was indeed a “Pioneer” in the field of Hutterite education.

Anna & Dora have both graciously accepted an invitation to be our guest speakers at this Dr. Louisa Loeb 13th Annual Reunion of the Permit Teachers of Manitoba, which was held on July 13, 2017, where they gave a presentation of their father’s life in the field of education. Our theme again for this year is, “Students and Teachers Together Again” and you are once again encouraged to bring a former student or students ,with whom you taught on permit, to the gathering. Next year, our reunion is planned for July 12, 2018 , at the Viscount Gort. For more information about our upcoming reunion, please contact our registrar, Edith Alexiuk: 204-256-6484. ¡